Tuesday, February 11, 2014

I've written to my MP, Nicola Blackwood, again. This time to highlight the Don't Spy on Us campaign launched by the Open Rights Group, Liberty, Big Brother Watch, Article 19, English Pen and Privacy International. It's the UK arm of the global The Day We Fight Back.

The form on the Don't spy on us campaign page returned an error when I tried to use it, so I emailed Ms Blackwood directly instead.

"Nicola,

I realise from our recent
correspondence that you don't necessarily agree with my perspective
on the Snowden revelations.

So I expect you will not be surprised
to learn I have signed up to the "Don't Spy on Us"
campaign, launched today by the Open Rights Group, Liberty, English
Pen, Big Brother Watch, Privacy International and Article 19.

It's based on 6 principles which it's
really a little surprising anyone would consider in any way
controversial in 2014:

1. No surveillance without suspicion

2. Transparent laws, not secret laws

3. Judicial not political authorisation

4. Effective democratic oversight

5. The right to redress

6. A secure Web for all

(Personally I would have rephrased that
last one to "A secure internet for all" but a secure Web
would be a start).

Even if you have made up your mind on
the UK government response to the Snowden affair, I would ask that
you still give serious consideration to the general points of
principle raised by the Don't Spy on Us campaign in this centenary
year marking the beginning of World War 1.

You may additionally be interested in
my submission to the Intelligence and Security Committee Inquiry into
privacy and security -